LUNA

12: Armor Corsets and Daggers

Bumalik ako sa kwarto ko nakahanda na ang damit namin para sa gagawin naming hunting. Labag man sa kalooban ko, napilitan akong suotin ang uniform. I don't like wearing armors and uniforms and black tight suits— it seems too heavy for a battle. Kaya nga ako walang bitbit na kahit anong sandata kasi nabibigatan ako plus, a dress is lighter compared to an all out battle suit. People might argue with my opinion about this, but I grew up fighting in a dress and when I tried armories, the metal only have gotten in the way. I was only forced to wear this so that mortals outside the palace wouldn't try killing us if ever they find out what our real race is. Most especially the witch hunters, they know how to differentiate witches from the mortals. Pero dahil nga may symbolo ng Lapetus ang susuotin namin— at may insignia ng official royal guards din, hindi kami magagalaw ng basta basta ng kahit sinong mortal sa labas ng palasyo.

I've already wore the last piece of clothing in me, when I look at Feline standing quietly beside the room's closed door. She bows kahit naman hindi ko siya sinasabihan na gawin 'yon. Hindi ko naman siya kakatayin kapag hindi siya nag bow. "Change my boots. I want them my style. Thick platform, and at least 3 inches high" Sabi ko sabay turo pa sa knee high boots ng unipormeng ito.

"Are— are you sure, miss? I- I mean, hindi po ba kayo mahihirapan tumakbo ng naka takong?" She sounded pathetically concern while still bowing at me.

I only stared blankly. "You heard my orders. Hindi mo ba yon gagawin?" Ayoko lang sagutin tanong niya.

I fight with heels because it is part of my self-training. If I were to choose my best ability as a physical fighter, I would say that balancing is my forte. Hirap na hirap ako nung una. Ilang beses akong nabalian ng paa dahil sa heels na yan, but thanks to our capability to regenerate and heal quickly, I didn't mind getting my bones cracked from time to time.

50 years of training and experience, and the results are extraordinary.

"Apologies, miss Hades" Feline said, bowing lower. "I will see to it that your request will be followed. If you'll excuse me"

I watch her leave my room with a straight posture. Scenting the sentinels outside my room shifted when Feline left. Habang hinihintay si Feline, umupo muna ako sa vanity at tinali ang mahaba kong buhok.

A simple high ponytail will do. Braids will be better, but I do not know how to do it. And Feline is not here— if she comes back, wala na akong oras pa para utusan siya na talian ako. The crown prince only gave us 45 minutes to prepare, and I only have 25 minutes left. Though, I doubt that she'd come back before the time hits zero. You can't make boots for this uniform that easily. Unless they use magic to get the job done.

Maybe they did use magic to make this uniform. Hindi na ako magtataka kung bakit sakto lang sa hugis ng katawan ko ang uniporme. The uniform is a black tight suit and a corset armor in the color of gold. At sa golden corset armor na 'to, dito naka guhit ang symbolo ng mga mortal at ang insignia ng official guards ng palasyo. Different from the original midnight blue and gold uniforms of the sentinels here— but we're supposed to be kept in the dark, and we're not mortals to be wearing their kingdom's colors. Replacing midnight blue with black is a reminder that we are black witches following orders from the mortal royals. I believe this is the crown prince's doing. Already marking us.

I almost roll my eyes at that thought. Last night, hindi kaagad ako nakatulog sa kakaisip sa situwasyon ko ngayon. I was kidnapped by the prince and was brought here only to be part of the mortal royalties' scheme. The prince made a very good bargain, but still— we're talking about our High Rulers here. The demons. Prince Cayden didn't give us much of a choice. He told us we could sneak out, if we can do that. Na halata naman na hindi namin magagawa dahil nga sa protectional barrier ng palasyo. Then he threatened to kill us if we were not going to be part of the scheme— so no choice nanaman kami. And we can't also kill him because of the law protecting them— so wala nanaman kaming choice. Sa huli, wala kaming magagawa kundi sundin na lamang siya.